A Small Piece Of Knitting For A Small Lady

       I remember just after Miss Lo was born- the three of us were at a park playing The Boy was still really small as well- they are only 18 months apart after all. I saw this other Mum playing with her daughter- she was obviously on the other side of babies- this Mum had kids. I started chatting with her and during our conversation it came up that I regretted not having any one on one time with Miss Lo- the way I did with The Boy when he was born. The reason why this conversation has stayed with me all these years is this Mum reassuring me that my day to have one on one bonding time with my daughter would come- he oldest had just gone to kindergarten and now she was having that time with her daughter. I remember watching them- blond and laughing in the late October sunlight- the ease with which the operated in the world- the connection that was palatable.

      You never know the impact your kind words might have on strangers- that day in the park that Mum gave me something else to look forward to- and that day is here- Miss Lo and I are having our days in the sun. These days although sunny are turning a bit brisk and so I finished off this sweet little cowl that I started fireside earlier in the summer- on Pender Island. I knew it would be for her as I was casting on- my sweet girl- a piece of sunshine around her neck- close to her heart.

       This cowl doesn't really have a pattern- or it it does I don't know about it- so basic and easy- mindless knitting in the round really. I cast on 108 stitches to a size 6- 16" circular needle- join for working in the round, being careful not to twist stitches, place marker and to mark beginning of the round. Ribbing- knit 2, purl 2 rib for 6 rounds. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until cowl measures about 8 inches from cast on edge. Ribbing- knit 2, purl 2 for 6 rounds- bind off loosely in rib-weave in all ends (which I have yet to do in these pictures!)

        This cowl is the perfect fall piece for an active kiddo like Miss Lo- she needs something soft and warm around her neck yet I am terrified of scarves on the playground getting caught or pulled- the cowl solves that problem. In the winter it will fit nicely under her winter coat keeping out the clever winter winds coming down off the mountains. The wool is perfect for my little forest fairy- a light fingerling weight baby alpaca- naturally died with onion skins- purchased from Maiwa.

          I know our days in the sun are numbered- November is drawing near and with it the looming Kindergarten registration date- why does time need to move so fast? These last few weeks have been brilliant- the sun and fog- our city has become a magical place even if only for a short time- this weather can't possibly hold- but as long as the sun is shining you will find Miss Lo and I outside- soaking it all in!

Farmer's Market: West End

       This weekend was car free weekend in many Vancouver neighbourhoods- until recently we have always been car free- we only got our mobile two years ago! So we decided to make this past weekend as much about being on foot and leaving that mobile of ours parked in the garage- there for we stuck a bit closer to home and checked out the West End Farmer's Market.

       The West End holds a special place in our hearts as we lived here for the first five years of our life together- in our perfect- silverfish infested- apartment by the sea- over looking the dumpster- oh nostalgia can do funny things! At any rate The Mr. and I first started coming to the West End market when we first started our foray into eating locally- and this market was super local for us- right up at the end of our street! The market is right on the corner of Comox- across from Nelson Park on Mole Hill- a great combination of community and food coming together.

   
    So many goodies are in season right now- strawberries, radishes- and as always fantastic artisans like Ildiko. If you are in the market for a gorgeous piece of silver jewelry- Ildiko is your girl- lovely handmade silver pieces mixed with semi precious stones. Keep your eyes peeled for Ildiko and her  hilarious side kick at any number of the Vancouver markets- these folks stuck it out all winter at Nat Bailey and are happy now that sunnier days are here! Check out her web site  and Etsy shop to get an idea of all the lovely shiny things available!

           Aside from the market there is ample space to roam up on Mole Hill- community gardens to check out- dogs to watch and of course the playground. This is indeed our community market- we can walk or bus here- wandering the neighbourhood home after stocking up for the week. I think what I love best about the West End market is that the vendors are only on one side of the street which lends to a more open and less busy feeling- combined with live music, trees and sunny skies- this is one great market!

           Vancouver's West End Farmer's Market is every Saturday from 9am- 2pm- located at the corner of Comox street and Thurlow- it runs from June 1- October 19.

Craft Camp: Solar Prints

      There is something so magical about watching a photo develop- be it in the darkroom or out in the sunshine. Realistically most kids will not have an opportunity to experience a darkroom- or even know what film even is- I promise I won't start waxing nostalgic about the death of film photography! At any rate Solar Prints are a great way to experience the science and magic behind making a negative print- a great project for a sunny afternoon!

      What you will need is a pack of Solar Print Paper- we purchased ours from The Granville Island Toy Company- or can be ordered online here! You will also need a tray of cold water, a few clean tea towels and sunshine!

      What to do: after opening package be sure not to expose the blue side of the paper to sunlight- the idea is to work pretty fast- place a piece of Solar paper blue side up- after placing objects on paper, put in a sunny spot for 1-3 minutes or until the paper has turned fully white.

    Immediately put paper into a pan of cold water for one minute- this makes the image permanent. Dry your print flat- you may lightly blot the paper carefully with a clean cloth.

     We used a few of our favourite toys to make our Solar prints today- The Boy used his dragon and of course Miss Lo used a Little Pony- Playmobile toys work great- really any item with clearly defined edges works well. Another favourite is natural materials- like leaves & flowers- it's always fun to go on a nature walk and then use found plants in Solar printing! Have fun and play!

Changes: Spring

       This Spring so far has been very busy for us- full of change- in a completly great and wonderful way- but this weekend we had no commitments and nowhere to be and we took full advantage of that situation! We just tucked in for a lazy Saturday and Sunday- hoping the Mr. would recoup from his cold- watching cartoons, breakfasting out, trips to the Farmer's Market, park and fabric store. It was pretty much our ideal Vancouver weekend!

       The thing about living in Vancouver is you can always be sure that whatever you plan for- including lazing about outside- is completely subject to the weather. Saturday was grey and drizzly throwing a wrench in our plans- opting instead for a stroll around the Market- which p.s. only has two weeks left at the Nat Bailey location before the vendors close up for a short hiatus and prepare for the Summer Markets.

     Change was in abundance at the Market and we were more than happy to stock up on radishes, fresh local spinach and..... yup rhubarb! Yummo- so nice to see all that fresh Spring produce! I have to say that doing our grocery shopping at the Farmer's Market is the most chill experience ever! For the most part people are happy and full of amazing food- it's easy to wander at a leisurely pace pausing to watch the buskers while munching on cookies or apple chips.

       One thing few people know about me is that I am a magazine fiend- perhaps this is my one environmental "crime"! I love em- usually trading previously read magazines with in my circle of friends helps assuage the guilt- so I was totally stoked to discover the magazine trading station at the Market this week- for sure I will be taking a few to trade next weekend!

     Sunday dawned exactly the opposite of Saturday- over night the weather changed from dreary and grey to sunny and perfect! We ran a few last errands for the weekend and headed to Robson Park- one of our favourite areas of Vancouver- just off Fraser at Kingsway. This area is a favourite because of the park- obviously- but also because of the row of fun (refusing to use the word funky) shops and cafes that line a strange little triangle park- Collage Collage, Spool of Thread and Precious & Few.

     New sandals for Miss Lo were purchased, I got my fill of amazing fabric and plenty of chestnuts were collected. It's so funny that while change is imminent and obvious some things never change- like the smooth, glossy surface of a chestnut that just aches to be thrown through the air by little hands! Or dandelions that must be picked for Mommas and Daddys! Or how when given that chance to do nothing little ones find a world full of "somethings"!

P.S.- The Vancouver Winter Market is closes out the season on April 27 at the Nat Bailey location. Trout Lake Summer Market opener is May 11 and Kits is May 12!

P.S.S. the plant vendors are starting to make an appearance and although tempted I managed to not purchase any seedlings!

P.S.S.S that said if anyone has a small rhubarb plant they would like to trade for some cards or note books or a pair of Momma made kid shorts- let me know we can barter a bit!

Over The Bridge to Ambleside

       We live in such a beautiful place- it doesn't say "Beautiful British Columbia" on our licence plates for nothing! So when the incessant rain finally broke and Sunday dawned clear and bright yet cold we bundled up and hit the beach- there was no way we were missing out on this fantastic and dry day! We headed over the Lion's Gate Bridge to a beach we don't normally go to but thought we would check it out- Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.

       Our first true beach day of March if you want to get technical our first true beach day of 2013! I know we hit Spanish Banks a few weeks back but the sun yesterday made this beach day feel like warmer days are on their way.

       The Littles were happy to just run- Miss Lo got to dig which is all she ever wants to do and The Boy got to fly his new kite- from Momo and Poppa on his birthday. Momma and Daddy were happy just to have the sun on our faces and a blanket to sit on!

      As the days are getting longer our thoughts turn back outside- camping, gardening, the beach, biking and hiking- this is going to be a good summer! We have one more amazing day it looks like today before the rains return for the rest of the week- we are headed outside- and yes the dishes are being left piled high in the sink- they can wait for a rainy day!